MARCUS RASHFORD STARS AGAIN ON HIS PREMIER LEAGUE DEBUT AS UNITED EDGE ARSENAL

       MANCHESTER UNITED 3 :: 2 ARSENAL

RASHFORD HIT BRACE SECOND GAME IN A ROW FOR MANCHESTER UNITED


United started the game in a front foot as the pressured arsenal in the first thirty five minutes with the wave making teenager (RASHFORD) in the spotlight again.

The old trafford  club entered the game with two match winning streak against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup and Midtjylland in the Europa, although they had many youngsters in their matchday squad, they looked well organised (not defensively) as the frustrated wenger's side.

WHAT NOW FOR UNITED?

Van gaal's side remain fifth in the table, three points behind their Manchester neighbour city who also have a game in hand.   While arsenal now looks off course the top spot.

Atletico Madrid won a third consecutive La Liga Bernabeu derby to practically end Real Madrid's title hopes.

Atletico Madrid had not scored a goal in over 270 minutes before Antoine Griezmann scored

REAL MADRID  0 :: 1  ATHLETICO MADRID 

Real madrid suffer another damaging blow to their title challenge as neighbours athletico claim victory at the bernabeu for the third time in a row.

Both teams had their chances, as the game ended goal less in a pulsating first period. Real madrid came close to scoring in the first half with raphael varane heading the ball from a free kick wide. Ronaldo had two of his headers saved by the impressive athletico keeper jan oblak. Antoine Griezmann scored the only goal, early in the second half, when he steered Filipe Luis' pass home.  Athletico now trail barcelona who have a game in hand with five points and real title hope is nothing but finished as they are nine points off the top.

HAS ZIDANE CHANGED ANYTHING?

REAL MADRID COACH:: ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Since succeding carlo ancelloti real legend zinedine zidane hasn't changed anything from my own point of view and will be under increasing pressure as his position will be thrown into speculation by the "media". His predecessor received the axe from the impatient president florentino perez less than four months after helping them to a long waited  LA DECIMA, so if zizou will keep his job in the coming months remain to be seen.

Real madrid expelled from copa del rey after fielding an ineligible player (Denis cherysev), will now focus fully on champions league as is their only hope of lifting a trophy this season

_ALEX ONYEKWERE

I kidnap to raise money for my girlfriend’s bride price — Suspect

Uzordima Chukwudi, 29, was a lotto operator before he took to kidnapping, a trade he was into before he was arrested by the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, led by CSP Abba Kyari.

Chukwudi was arrested alongside some other members of the group, including Joseph Chiaotu, aka Ejima, 21, Anozie Chinonso, 25 and 27-year-old Chukwuma Agim, who is a prison official, in connection with the kidnap of a woman in Imo State.Speaking to journalists during the week, Chukwudi said he was studying Mechanical Engineering at Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State before he dropped out in his final year. “What led me into kidnapping was unfortunate,” he said.

He explained that the pressure to raise the bride price of his pregnant girlfriend lured him into the crime. He said, “My girlfriend is pregnant and I have been under pressure to pay her bride price but I had no money. She told me that since she became pregnant her mother had been ostracised by her fellow women in their village. The pressure was too much that I needed to look for money by all means.”

On how he came across the other suspects, Chukwudi explained that when the pressure became unbearable, he contacted two of his friends; Nnamdi, who is now in prison, and Chiboy, who later introduced him to Agim for the trade.

He said, “Agim, being a prison official, was the one making way for us whenever we approached a police check point but our first operation was not successful because the person we targeted escaped. But on the second operation, Chiboy went with a policeman and they kidnapped the woman.”

He said for his involvement in the deal and for taking food to the victim in the bush, he was given N100,000 as his share. He said, “Chiboy told me that he got only N1.1m from the woman but when we were arrested, the woman told us she paid N3m as ransom. The moment I got my own share, I gave my girlfriend part of it to start the preparation (for the wedding) while I went to the market to buy drinks. That was when I got a call from Agim and when I met him I was arrested.”

Agim, a prison official from Imo State who said he was lured into the trade by an inmate, Nnamdi, told journalists that even though he was able to buy clothes, settle his debts and fix his car with his N100,000 share in the ransom paid by the victim’s family, he regrets his involvement in the act.He recalled that when he was posted to the Owerri prison, his mother, who was also serving in the prison, warned him to be wary of one inmate, named Vampire, and his friends so as not to get into trouble. He maintained that he was reluctant when Nnamdi approached him but that he later found the offer attractive.

He began, “I was in my final year student in Imo State University where I was studying Insurance. I was earning N43,000 monthly as a prison official and I was even thankful because I didn’t join the Service with a first degree.

“When I came for industrial attachment last year, our chief warder told us that there was a notorious kidnapper called Vampire who was arrested and would be brought to Owerri Prison. Early this year I met Nnamdi who was in the same cell with Vampire. Nnamdi first asked me to get him a phone and he offered me N3,000 but I refused. So, he met another officer who got him the phone. They kept pressurising me that they wanted us to be friends.

“So, one day, we sat behind the food store and they told me several stories about their escapade in kidnapping and I found it attractive. They told me they were rich people and they used to visit several popular bars in major towns in the South East and South South states and that when they observe rich people leaving the bar, they go after them and kidnap them.”

He said at the end of the conversation, they gave him a number and that with that he was able to link other members, including Chiboy, aka Eze Ekudeley, whom he called a big kidnapper, Ejima and Chukwudi.

He said they used to work with a policeman and that on the day they went to pick their victim, a woman, she wasn’t the main the target but she was traced to her house where she was picked.

“It was Nnamdi who called me to and look after the woman in the bush. I borrowed money from a friend and used it to buy food for the woman. I gave the food to Uzordima to give to the woman. I learnt the woman stayed for two days. I was given N100, 000 after the N1.1m ransom was collected. I bought clothes, settled my debt and fixed my car.

He said he was arrested few days after the operation. “It was Ejima who led them to me. I regret getting myself into this mess he lamented,” he added.

On his part, Ejima said his share of the ransom was N70,000, out of which he used N10,000 to buy shoes and clothes. “I don’t know how the police heard about what I did; they came after me and arrested me. I led the police to arrest the prison official and four other members of the gang, but we were unable to arrest Chiboy. He noticed the presence of the police and he attempted to escape. He ran into the bus and the police fired several shots at him but he wasn’t hit.

Chinonso, who also hailed from Imo State, said poverty led him into kidnapping. “All I was looking for was a little money to buy a bus on hire purchase because the one I had got spoilt. I met Ejima recently and I told him I needed assistance because I had no job. He promised he would help me.”

He explained that he participated in the kidnap and that his share was N100,000 but that he was arrested when he was about hiring a bus. “It was poverty that led me into this crime. I am a very poor person struggling for myself and my family. I have no one helping me and my mother is a very old woman. I pray this woman (the victim) and her family would forgive me, he said.

VIDEO: WIZKID WALKS OUT ON INTERVIEWER AFTER HE WAS QUESTIONED ABOUT HIS SECOND BABY MAMA

When asked by an HipTV interview to talk on the rumours that he has a Lover, the singer put his two hands together, smiled, hugged the interviewer and walked away.Star Boy, Wizkid has no comment on the rumours going rounds about his second baby mama, Binta.    When asked by a hip tv journalist to clarify the rumours that he has a Lover, the singer put his two hands together, smiled, hugged the interviewer and walked away.

How I lost my virginity to a madman — Shocking confession of a Lagos Uni Student

How I lost my virginity to a madman – The young university girl left her room one fateful night – She had planned to spend the night with her friend, Rita – Then it happened…. If I had known that everything about my sexuality would go down the drain in just few minutes, I would not have left my hostel that evening for Rita’s house. 

My hostel was boring, my roomie had gone to see her boyfriend and she planned to sleep over. I decided to also sleep over at Rita’s, my close course mate who stays outside the school premises. It was quite dark and after alighting from the yellow-black coloured bus, I was joyous I will be at my friend’s place and we can gist all night long.

I sauntered down the road not knowing my life was about to get depressed forever. There is a path to my destination that is always lonely. But in my previous trips using the path, we were always in groups. And it was either in the morning or late at night in Rita’s boyfriend’s car.

It was quite dark but it didn’t seem to me that danger was lurking around the corner until a scraggy hand touched my upper arm. I turned in the dark and the sight I saw needed me to pick up my heels but my brain decided about running too late.

This was because I couldn’t get out of the grip of the might hands of the dirty, smelling mad man. Within a twinkle of an eye, he had pinned me down right there on the path, tearing apart my expensive Louis Vuitton top. The deed was done.

I pulled myself together before he regains his strength again, running with the remaining power in me. I’ve heard about how ladies get tired and sore on their first try at sex by this was not my case. I had strength in me and I ran with my legs almost touching my head. Rita must have been waiting for about 15 minutes outside her gate because as I got close to her house, I saw her afar off. She ran to me eagerly…but she noticed everything was wrong with me.

I could not talk what exactly happened to me but from my looks, you will think I just finished fighting with a Lion. I had blood stains all over me.. I was visibly depressed; I could not walk properly with my thighs together. Rita didn’t need to be told what happened to me as she kept asking ‘who did this to you?’ ‘How come?’ ‘Are you fine?’

All I knew next was I was in Rita’s bed after a hot bath, taking hot tea with some of the drugs prescribed by Rita’s doctor friend. It is now six weeks after the event but my life has not remained the same. I’ve been having nauseating feeling and I am just afraid to check at the doctor’s just to know what’s wrong with me. I might be pregnant.

Man commits suicide after winning ‘Baba Ijebu’ lottery in Lagos

The vulcaniser, Fatai Sulaimon, who allegedly committed suicide last Saturday at Moji Olarenwaju Close, off Olorunda Street, in the Ijaye-Ojokoro area of Lagos State won a N50,000 lotto popularly called Baba Ijebu a few days before the incident.

According to PUNCH, Some neighbours said Sulaimon, who they described as a regular lotto player, doubted that the deceased had spent the money before he took his own life.They recalled that Sulaimon, a father of two, was seen holding a short twine a day before the incident and that nobody suspected that the deceased was planning something sinister since he was a vulcaniser who would naturally need the twine to start his vulcanising machine.

According to them, Sulaimon occasionally asked if the twine would perform the purpose for which he bought it.

Two of the neigbours, who would not want their names mentioned, said that they heard the deceased exchanging banters with some people the night before he hanged himself that he would surprise his wife and others the following day.

“People thought that Sulaimon was referring to how he was planning to spend the N50,000 lotto he won,” a neighbour said.

The son of Sulaimon’s landlord, Habeeb Oyewusi, who spoke on behalf of his father, confirmed that the deceased won N50,000 lotto. He said the deceased, who he described as tough and hardworking, also played lotto the night before the incident, but added that he would not know whether he won or not.

Sulaimon was said to have committed suicide for yet to be ascertained reasons. He was said to have woken up from bed and headed for the kitchen where he allegedly hanged himself.

Oyewusi said the deceased was not violent, but a caring and generous person, who did not discriminate.

He said, “He cared for his wife and three children, including his step-son. He treated all of them well.

“Nobody suspected anything; my father, the landlord, gave him a small space beside the house to build a makeshift shop to enable him to practise his trade. All that people could remember was that he went to bed early on Friday night.”

An undergraduate of the University of Lagos, Ojelade Ismail, who first discovered the deceased’s body where he hanged himself, corroborated Oyewusi’s claim.

Ismail said he discovered the stiff body of the deceased when he wanted to take some water in the kitchen at about 6.0am last Friday to perform his ablution.

He said, “I could not wait to find out who the deceased was when I saw the hanged object in the kitchen because he covered his face. I quickly went to wake other co-tenants who also came out to confirm my claim, but they too could not also identify the person.

“But it was after we went to knock at the door of the deceased’s room that his wife came out to confirm that the body was her husband. Sulaimon left the room in the night and informed her that he was going to the toilet. But the wife said she slept off immediately after her husband left the room.

“What we observed was that the deceased put off the kitchen light.”

But when our correspondent attempted to speak with the deceased’s wife, it was learnt that she had relocated to her husband’s place.

However, neighbours said there was nothing around the scene to indicate the reason for the suicide. He did not also leave any note behind. So, nobody could really pinpoint the reason behind his action.

Apart from his vulcanising business, it was learnt that he had two commercial motorcycles from which he earned more income.

The body of the deceased was, however, untied by traditional worshippers at about 9.30pm last Saturday and taken to Ado-Odo in Ogun State after they performed some rituals.

This was after the police had initially visited the scene in the morning.

Meanwhile, the incident has caused confusion among tenants on Olorunda Street and Moji Olarenwaju Close as some of them are contemplating relocating.

This is because the two streets share boundary and also have record of tenants committing suicide.

Some of the panic-stricken tenants, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed fear that there was more to the death because of the nature of the hanging. One of them particularly said that but for his rent which he paid early last month, he would have parked out by now.

He said, “This type of death is mysterious. Someone committed suicide on Olorunda Street a few years ago and another one died the same way in Moji Olanrewaju Close last Saturday; the two streets that share boundary in Itesiwaju Community Development Association.”

Another tenant, who simply gave his name as Olayeye Ojo, said he planned to pack from the street, but to his own house which he hoped to complete soonest.

Ojo also asked his fellow tenants to examine themselves and refrain from evil practices.

“If they have anything that troubles their mind, they should seek counselling, instead of attempting to take their own lives,” he said.

However, landlords in the area have allayed the fear of the tenants. They asked them to perish their thought of relocation because suicide happens everywhere.

According to them, suicide is a personal decision; it has nothing to do with a particular house or environment.

A 76-year-old Bola Ogundipe, in whose house a tenant allegedly committed suicide a few years back, said she built her house with her sweat, ditto other landlords in the community.

“All the houses in this community are products of the landlords’ hard work. So, the tenants need not fear anything,” she said.

Ogundipe, who said she sold food for nearly 20 years before she stopped the business not long ago because of old age, recalled that she did not engage in any diabolical means to seek undeserved patronage.

She said, “I was selling firewood before I ventured into food business. I sold food for nearly 20 years before I stopped less than two years ago because of old age. I have not given my tenants trouble, including those who have not paid their rents.

“I only depend on the allowances my children give me. All my tenants are not trouble makers and I too don’t make trouble with them, but I flay them when I discover that they don’t sweep the compound.”

Ogundipe also recalled that Saheed, the welder who allegedly hanged himself in her house not long ago, was not a trouble maker.

“Nobody made trouble with Saheed and he did not make trouble with anybody in the house until his death, but we would not know if he had issues with anyone outside the house,” she said.

Also, another landlord, Mr. Friday Idehia, dismissed the tenants’ fear.

He claimed that suicide was not a new thing, while citing Judas Iscariot as the first person to have hanged himself over betrayal.

Idehia, however, urged the tenants to always share their feelings with trusted persons anytime they are worried.

He said, “Tenants should not fear anything; they only need to refrain from evil. I have spent 25 years in this community and I can say categorically that there is nothing happening here that has not happened anywhere else.

“I have no regret to have owned a property in this community. The only problems we are facing are bad road and erosion; we need government’s intervention in those two areas.”

Idehia equally asked his fellow landlords to hold regular meetings with their tenants to gauge their feelings.

He said, “I hold meetings with my tenants on every last Saturday of the month; I ask them about issues concerning their welfare and I also ask them to speak out on any issue that is bothering their minds. I suggest that every landlord should be doing this.

“Tenants should also respect their landlords’ opinions; they should not behave as if they know better than the landlords.”

The Chairman, Itesiwaju Community Development Association, Mr. Ambrose Umosor, dismissed the rumoured existence of a suicide-causing demon in the community, but said the latest incident was an eye opener and wake-up call that everybody should move closer to God.

He said while suicide is a complex and personal decision and has no connection with the house or the environment people live, he asked his fellow landlords to always attend the monthly CDA meeting, which he alleged they refused to take seriously.

Umosor also urged everybody in the community, including tenants and shop owners, to always strive to do good.

He equally asked landlords and their tenants to respect one another’s opinion. Omosor said, “Respect is reciprocal; let landlords respect tenants and let the tenants respect their landlords because respect is earned, it is not given.”

LASG REAFFIRMS TO PROVIDE QUALITATIVE EDUCATION

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed her commitment to provide 

qualitative education in the State.

Speaking at theCOMMISSIONING of two Blocks of “13 + 1” classroom plus Head teacher’s Office and Toilets in two Primary Schools in Badagry recently, the Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education, Dr. Ganiyu Oluremi Sopehin disclosed that the State Government under the leadership of Gov.

Mr. Ambode is commitment to bringing succor on the problems hindering the progress ofEDUCATION in the state. He disclosed that recently the Governor directed that the list of all primary schools that are in bad shape should be given to him with a view of rehabilitating, adding that with or without intervention fund from the federal government the State Government would go ahead to provide qualitative education in the State. While admonishing the efforts of the Badagry Local Education Authority, Dr. Sopeyin charged the Authority to do more in regard to teachers and Head teachers’ motivations. According to him “some of our teachers and head teachers need to change their attitudes to work and toward our children, while some are extremely good and deliver theJOB with passion and diligent”, he said.

He added that since the assumption of duty by the present administration retreats have being organized by the administration so as to move basic education forward in the State stressing that the State is adjudged the best in universal basic education hence we cannot afford to rest on our oars, he stated. Dr Sopeyin assured that the State Government was already looking into the issues and problems confronting the primary school teachers in the State, noting that victory songs would soon filled the mouth of teachers in the State. Speaking further the SUBED Boss directed that primary schools in the state should maintain government facilities in their domain and do more than what they are presently doing in the area of agriculture and security in order to secure their wards, recalling that during his days in primary school they used the available land at their disposal for agriculture.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Badagry Local Government Education Authourity, Alhaja Abiodun Adebayo urged the teachers to reciprocate government gesture by being punctual in the course of their duties to school and maintain the facilities at their disposal.

The benefitting schools of the blocks of “13 + 1” classroom plus Head teacher’s Office and Toilets are the Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Araromi Ale and Magboro Primary School, Magboro in Bagagry.

While the Chairman accompanied by other members of the Board also inspected Muslim Primary School (inclusiveEDUCATION unit), Our Lady of Apostle, Asiwaju Bola Amhed Tinubu Model Primary School, Apa, Methodist Primary School all in the Badagry Local Government Area of the State. Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN.

Teenager Marcus Rashford scored twice on his debut as Manchester United came from behind to thrash FC Midtjylland and reach the Europa League last 16.

Marcus Rashford, 18, scores on his Manchester United debut in front of the Stretford End

The Danish champions led 2-1 from the first leg and Pione Sisto increased their advantage.

Nikolay Bodurov's own goal reduced the deficit before Rashford, who only started after Anthony Martial was injured in the warm-up, struck twice.

Ander Herrera's penalty and Memphis Depay's late goal completed the rout.

Juan Mata missed a penalty at 1-1, while Midtjylland finished with 10 men after Andre Romer was sent off for a second yellow card.

Rashford to the rescue

Marcus Rashford was born in October 1997 - 16 months before FC Midtjylland were formed in February 1999

While the scoreline was emphatic in the end, United were looking at an embarrassing exit before Rashford netted twice in the space of 12 second-half minutes in front of the Stretford End.

The 18-year-old, named as a substitute on the team sheet, was only elevated to the starting line-up after France forward Martial damaged his hamstring in the warm-up.

Manchester-born Rashford showed confidence beyond his years from the start, but Sisto's tidy finish left Louis van Gaal's side staring at an embarrassing exit at the hands of a team formed in 1999.

Bodurov lifted the mood inside Old Trafford when he sliced Depay's cutback into his own net before Mata's spot-kick was saved by Mikkel Andersen after Ander Herrera was clipped by Kian Hansen.

The exciting Rashford put United ahead when he tucked home from seven yards before repeating the trick with a half-volley to make it 3-1.

Herrera added his side's fourth from the penalty spot after Hansen handled before Depay's thumping effort completed the scoring.

How's your luck

It looked like another sorry chapter in United's season of under-achievement even before a ball had been kicked.

Defender Chris Smalling was ruled out earlier on Thursday with a shoulder problem, paving the way for 19-year-old Joe Riley, a substitute in United's FA Cup win at Shrewsbury three days earlier, to make his first senior start.

Martial's injury paved the way for Rashford's debut, but after recovering from falling behind on the night, United scored four times inside the final half hour to pull away.

They could even afford to end the match with another teenage debutant on the pitch in the shape of 17-year-old Regan Poole.

Under-pressure Van Gaal managed a smile at the end after his side scored five in a match for the first time under his control in front of a 58,609 crowd.

Analysis: Doubts still remain

BBC Sport's Simon Stone at Old Trafford

Manchester United are fond of talking about their 'great' European nights. The last came against Olympiakos under David Moyes two years ago when United overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to win 3-2. Tonight will be added to the list.

Any doubts - and there remain plenty - amongst the United fans about manager Van Gaal were set aside for the good of the team.

They stuck with them when their team went a goal down - and again when Juan Mata missed his penalty. Slight murmurings were beginning with Rashford took centre stage, and after that the decibel levels went right up.

Indeed, if supporters were writing a template for what constituted an ideal night, this would probably be it. Comeback win, five goals and a local boy becoming the hero.

Indeed, so young is Rashford - a product of the same Fletcher Moss club where Wes Brown and Danny Welbeck cut their teeth - he has become United's youngest goalscorer in Europe.

United could face Gary Neville in the last 16

The draw for the last-16 stage takes place on Friday and there is a chance United could be paired with a friendly face - as well as a bitter rival.

Liverpool and Tottenham are also through and, with no country protection, teams from the same league can be drawn against one another.

Valencia, managed by former United defender Gary Neville, are also through after a 10-0 aggregate win over Rapid Vienna

Man of the match - Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Rashford (centre) was thrown in at the deep end and took to the stage with ease to net twice on a dream debut.

The stats you need to know

• United have scored five goals in a European game at Old Trafford for the first time since April 2007
• Midtjylland scored with their first shot of the match
• United are unbeaten in 10 European home games
• The Danish champions have lost their last three European away games, conceding 11 in the process

Next up?

United have just two full days to recover before they entertain Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday (14:05 GMT). The Gunners are seeking to do the double over Van Gaal's side having defeated the Red Devils 3-0 at the Emirates on 4 October.

_BBC

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT DIES DURING MONEY RITUAL IN OGUN

Ritual Process in Nigeria, Filed Photo 

A 16-year-old secondary school student, Raimi Fatai, reportedly died in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, following alleged administration of a liquid substance on him by three of his classmates during a ritual.  According to Vanguard, Fatai and his classmates had embarked on alleged money-making ritual with one of them, said to be the son of a native doctor, giving the deceased and another the substance. A source close to the students told our correspondent that they consulted the herbalist to seek protection charms and ‘traditional knowledge enhancer.’

However, Fatai, who later fell ill after taking the substance, was said to have died two days later while the second victim, who was also on the verge of death, was taken to hospital. Policemen from Adatan Division were said to have taken the corpse to a mortuary and arrested the other students for questioning. Findings have shown that Fatai’s corpse was later released to his family for burial.

It was further reported that Fatai’s father, who was bothered about the sudden death of his son, approached the father of another student who led them to the herbalist’s den before the case was reported to the police. Authorities of the school (name withheld) summoned a meeting with the parents of the entire student populace.

The principal of the school confirmed the incident to our correspondent but stressed that the incident occurred outside the premises of the school during the Valentine period, so there was little the school authorities could do about it. When contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relation Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the command was investigating a sudden and unnatural death involving students of a secondary school in the state. Adejobi, however, confirmed that the command had received conflicting reports on the case, vowing that the command would do a thorough investigation on the case.

-VANGUARD

ROBBERS DISGUISED IN POLICE UNIFORM EXTORT, BRUTALIZE MOTORIST IN LAGOS

The Lagos State Police Command says it is on the trail of members of a robbery gang, who put on police uniform and mounted a checkpoint at the Anthony end of the Ikorodu Road.


According to PUNCH, the gang also harassed motorists, including a man, who they locked inside the boot of his car.

One of the suspected robbers, who disguised as policemen on a stop-and-search, Gbenga Erinfolami, had been arrested and was being held at the Anthony Police Division.

Our correspondent gathered that on Friday at about 6am, the team had stood at the Anthony end of the Ikorodu Road, stopping vehicles and extorting money from them.

It was learnt that when a motorist, whose name had yet to be ascertained, got to the place, they flagged him down and asked him to park.

It was said that the victim, thinking the suspects were policemen, came out of his car only to be beaten up by the fake policemen.

His vehicle was said to have been broken into, while he was bundled and locked inside the boot of the car. One of the eyewitnesses put a distress call across to the police, and the men of the Anthony division moved to the scene. Erinfolami was arrested and the victim was rescued, while other members escaped.

A police source told our correspondent that investigation showed that the runaway gang members included two dismissed policemen, who supplied the gang with uniforms, while other members were impersonators.

He said, “We got information that there were policemen at a checkpoint on Ikorodu Road, stopping motorists and extorting money from them.

“So, policemen from the Anthony division mobilised to the scene to verify the information. Truly, there we met them. There were actually two dismissed policemen leading that gang.

“They had locked a motorist inside the boot of his car for unknown reason, and they were escaping with the vehicle when the police arrived at the scene. So, they abandoned the vehicle and fled. But one of them was arrested.

“The motorist explained that he thought he was stopped by genuine policemen until they manhandled him and locked him up.”

The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, confirmed the incident, adding that the command would continue to beam its searchlight on fake policemen who extorted money from unsuspecting civilians on the roads.

He said, “The gang had taken possession of the vehicle and put the motorist in the boot of his car. The suspect in custody is helping investigation while efforts are on to arrest other members. We will continue to expose these criminals and take appropriate actions. Lagos residents should understand that not every gun-wielding man wearing police uniform is actually a genuine policeman.”

On Friday at about 10pm, five robbery suspects were arrested in the White Sand, Orile area, while allegedly heading for an operation in the area.

The suspects were reportedly on a motorcycle with number plate, KTU 701 QH, driven by Ayomide Alabi, said to be the gang leader, when an anti-robbery patrol team from the Orile division intercepted them.

One locally-made cut-to-size pistol with two unexpended cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects had been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, for further investigation.

-PUNCH

MESSI ENDS 10HRS + OF NOT SCORING AGAINST PETR CECH AS LACKLUSTER ARSENAL WERE BEATEN

Lionel Messi puts Barcelona in front at Arsenal

Lionel Messi effectively condemned Arsenal to a sixth successive exit at the last-16 stage of the Champions League with two decisive goals at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal battled gallantly to give themselves a chance going into the second leg at the Nou Camp in three weeks' time - but suffered at the hands of Barcelona's superstar trio Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

After Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud had come close to giving Arsenal the lead, Messi scored his first goal against keeper Petr Cech at the seventh attempt when he crowned a blistering counter-attack involving Suarez and Neymar to sweep home a finish after 71 minutes. And further damage was inflicted seven minutes from time when Arsenal substitute Mathieu Flamini floored Messi with a mistimed challenge and he got up to send Cech the wrong way from the spot. It was his eighth goal against Arsenal in the Champions League.

Suarez hit the post and Cech saved from Neymar as Barcelona took control - but this tie already looks well out of Arsenal's reach.

All over for Arsenal

Arsenal went out to Barcelona in 2010 and 2011 and that was after a draw and a win at Emirates Stadium - so their chances can be all but written off after this defeat.

The Gunners had their chances but they came to nothing, with Oxlade-Chamberlain a culprit when he allowed Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to save from a huge opportunity before Giroud saw a second-half header well saved.

Such is the ruthlessness of this Barcelona side that even half-chances (or less) have to be accepted and, if they are not, there is almost an inevitability about the outcome.

Wenger can make the usual optimistic noises about the second leg in the Nou Camp but it would be the greatest result of his reign if he managed to inspire a turnaround from this position.

It is, perhaps, on nights like these that those calls for Wenger to sign a world-class striker carry greater resonance because even the smallest opportunities have to count and Arsenal were unable to do so

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MAN. UNITED FACE WESTHAM IN FA CUP AFTER EASY WIN AGAINST LEAGUE ONE SIDE SHREWSBURY

Manchester United made easy work of League One Shrewsbury Town to give temporary relief to embattled manager Louis van Gaal and secure an FA Cup quarter-final with West Ham at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal, with speculation still rife that he is to be replaced by ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, knew defeat by a Shrewsbury side lying 21st in their division was unthinkable - and possibly terminal for his employment prospects.

United, instead, gave their manager a comfortable night as they strolled into the last eight, with Chris Smalling's scuffed shot and Juan Mata's smart free-kick giving them a half-time advantage they never threatened to surrender.

Shrewsbury barely gave United an anxious moment - although Abu Ogogo had an effort scrambled off the line by United substitute Joe Riley as well as heading wide late on - and victory was wrapped up when Jesse Lingard turned in Ander Herrera's shot just after the hour.

United's injury problems worsened when substitute Will Keane came off leaving the visitors to play the last 14 minutes with 10 men.

United have lifted the FA Cup 11 times, the last of which was when they won 3-0 against Millwall in Cardiff in 2004 - but can they relieve the gloom of this season by claiming the trophy for the first time in 12 years?

They have a tough quarter-final task against West Ham United, with Slaven Bilic's side looking impressive after putting out Liverpool after a replay and thrashing Blackburn Rovers 5-1 at Ewood Park in the fifth round.

United are at home, however, and just one match from a Wembley semi-final.

In the short-term at least, this win stops the rot after those damaging losses away to Sunderland and FC Midtjylland in the Europa League horror show in Denmark.

Van Gaal's attention can now turn to overturning the Danish side's 2-1 advantage, as this was a rare night of relaxation for the under-pressure Dutchman.

Man of the match - Juan Mata (Manchester United)

Juan Mata's goal was his first direct free-kick for Manchester United since December 2014. He also made eight key passes during the game - more than any other player.

Memories of the day Kevin Ratcliffe's Shrewsbury Town side shocked an Everton team 80 places above them in the league ladder in the FA Cup third round in January 2003 were revived before kick-off - but there was no chance of a repeat.

United may have struggled to make their supremacy count, although keeper Jayson Leutwiler saved well from Memphis Depay and Ogogo scrambled Antony Martial's effort off the line, but once they were ahead through Smalling after 37 minutes this was all over as a contest.

They were helped by a Shrewsbury side who seemed overawed by the occasion.

Van Gaal will be both relieved and delighted to leave Shropshire unscathed - another crisis averted, for now at least.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on BBC Sport: "I was very pleased. We have played 70 minutes fantastic, in a professional way, creating chances and scoring goals. After 70 we were with 10 and it was more difficult.It [injuries] was unbelievably unlucky again. The players were very committed to perform and you see what is the consequence.

"Everyone shall say United have to win against Shrewsbury. For the players it is fantastic because we are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

"We are in all the competitions, just six points behind Manchester City, we have a lot of chances, a lot of titles to fight for. It isn't easy because we have to win a lot of games but it is still possible."

Shrewsbury boss Micky Mellon, talking to BT Sport: "We have to say about the quality of Manchester United, it was absolutely fantastic.

"I couldn't have asked more of the players - we just came up against a team of utmost quality.

"I haven't seen the free-kick back. We have to come away from this, say it has been a fantastic cup run. We gave it everything but, playing against quality like that, it wasn't going to be enough."

The stats you need to know

• Smalling scored his first ever FA Cup goal in what is his 20th appearance in the competition.
• This was Smalling's 39th club appearance of the season (all competitions) - more than any other Premier League player.
• Mata has had a hand in 16 goals (eight goals, nine assists) in 17 FA Cup appearances.
  
• Shrewsbury's players (left) were camped in their own half for much of the first 45 minutes
• Mata scored his first direct free-kick for Manchester United since 2 December 2014.
• United have lost just one of their last 46 FA Cup games against lower-league opposition, with that solitary defeat coming at home to Leeds in January 2010 (W38 D7 L1).
• United have now won the last seven FA Cup fifth round ties that they have been involved in.
• This was the 50th consecutive FA Cup match involving United to be broadcast live on English television. The last not to be was on 8 January 2005 versus Exeter City.

What next?

United's hopes of a Champions League place via the Europa League hang in the balance as they host FC Midtjylland on Thursday, with the Danish side carrying a 2-1 lead. The Shrews are away at bottom side Colchester next Saturday.